A serial killer stalks the grimy streets of 1895 London, and the city's underbelly turns to a private investigator who despises the famous Sherlock Holmes. The year is 1895, and London is a city of stark contrasts, with opulent parties for the wealthy juxtaposed against widespread poverty, crime, and prostitution. Amidst this societal tension, a serial killer operates, while politicians are mired in scandal. The police are overwhelmed, and while the elite seek the services of Sherlock Holmes, the residents of south London, a rougher district, rely on Arrowood, a private investigator who disdains Holmes's methods and his affluent clientele, preferring to understand people rather than just clues.

The premise sets up a gritty, character-driven mystery that contrasts with the more cerebral approach of Sherlock Holmes. The historical setting of 1895 London, with its social stratification and underlying crime, provides a rich backdrop for the unfolding investigation. The narrative likely explores themes of class, morality, and the nature of justice from the perspective of an investigator who operates outside the established elite circles. Readers can expect a focus on human psychology and the darker aspects of Victorian society.